So, my number one school has the option of ED. My numbers (based on LSN, without ED) would get me anywhere from 2/3 to a full tuition scholarship. However, I want to maximize my appearance of wanting to attend this school in addition to whatever I end up saying in my PS. Should I ED?

I've read a few times that EDing can lead to a lack of sholarship money, but (also based on LSN) I noticed that at least one applicant received money from this school even though s/he EDed. I've narrowed my options down to a) e-mailing the school and asking if I'm still eligible for scholarship money with an ED, b) not EDing and just emphasizing my want to go to this school in my PS, or c) EDing, not e-mailing the school to get the desired information regarding scholarship money, and hoping for the best.

it would be helpful to know your numbers and the school to assess your actual chances of getting in RD. I will say though that I've heard of a lot of people who were set on one school going into the application process and by the end really liked another. So if you can easily get in RD, it may be better to do so for that reason. Also, the reason Eders often don't get scholarship (or at least one reason) is because they have numbers where one is above the schools median/75% and the other isn't, so they don't have the whole package for the scholarship.

I have been told that (at least at Duke and UVA) ED admits go through the same scholarship consideration process as RD admits. Most people who ED do so to make up for a weakness in his or her application, and this (at least at Duke and UVA) is the reason ED admits are less likely to receive scholarships.